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A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master'
Unavailable
A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master'
Unavailable
A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master'
Ebook431 pages18 hours

A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master'

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About this ebook

Have you ever wondered what God truly expects of women? Is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Does the Bible's idea of womanhood have a place in modern Christianity? New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans embarks on a year-long study of what it means to live by the standards of biblical womanhood.

Strong-willed and independent, Evans couldn't sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment--a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decided to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible's instructions for women as literally as possible for a full year.

Along the way, Evans explores the rich heritage of scriptural heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor that we come to know in the Bible. She consults with women who practice these ancient biblical mandates in their own lives--from an Orthodox Jewish woman who changed the way Evans reads the Bible to an Amish community that taught her the true meaning of modesty.

In A Year of Biblical Womanhood, Evans shares her courageous and often humorous journey of:

  • exploring what a "woman's place" is according to the Scriptures
  • applying the Bible's teachings to day-to-day life, sometimes to literal extremes
  • focusing on virtues like domesticity, obedience, beauty, submission, and grace
  • developing a "Biblical Woman's Ten Commandments" to serve as a guide for daily living

Join Evans as she dives deep into the lives of the women we meet in Scripture and redefines what it means to live biblically.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherThomas Nelson
Release dateOct 29, 2012
ISBN9781595553683
Author

Rachel Held Evans

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) is known for her books and articles about faith, doubt, and life in the Bible Belt. Rachel has been featured in the Washington Post, The Guardian, Christianity Today, Slate, HuffPost, and the CNN Belief Blog, and on NPR, BBC, Today, and The View. She served on President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and kept a busy schedule speaking at churches, conferences, and universities. Rachel’s messages continue to reverberate around the world.

Read more from Rachel Held Evans

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Reviews for A Year of Biblical Womanhood

Rating: 4.091622957591623 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In the interest of full disclosure: I am a fan of Rachel Held Evans' writing. I follow her blog and read her first book "Evolving in Monkey Town." So it's probably no surprise that I loved this book. Her writing is thoughtful, smart and funny. I laughed out loud, I tried Ahava's Challah recipe and I learned to love Proverbs 31 again. A great read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Didn't like this one as much as I expected. She decides to learn to knit, sew, and embroider all in one month. She does things by herself that would clearly be done in a crowd of women. Some of the studies are great, though. I like especially the "apostle" who makes clothes for other widows. A chance for those of us who stay home.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Quite amusing. Ok of reading on the beach, not a big think
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I thought the research portion of the book was far more interesting than the "living like a biblical woman" part.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Because I love women's history, historical reenactments, and I am a Christian, I was looking forward to this read. However, for me, it ended up being disappointing. It's not what I thought it would be.

    The back of the book claims that the author vows "to take all of the Bible's instructions for women as literally as possible for a year." It's a bold statement that made me imagine her turning Amish for a year. I had to check out this crazy idea. But instead, she actually only focuses on one Biblical virtue a month. And sometimes in the chapters she admits she only kept it up for a week. And then she finds "loop-holes" so she doesn't embarrass herself and her husband in public. So much for literally as possible.

    I guess part of me wanted to enjoy the situational comedy of strangers thinking she was crazy. In my mind, I kinda wanted her to touch upon the reaction of strangers as she tried to live biblically. It would have been a nice area for opinions and debate.

    Ultimately, I wish the back had explained she explores a virtue a month, instead of implying that she makes radical changes in her life. Otherwise, it's a nice blog turned book. The author did a lot of research and it does have interesting tidbits for thought.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I think this and Jana Riess' Flunking Sainthood should be required reading for everyone. Rachel's chapters on Valor, Justice and Grace are particularly brilliant and moving. Grateful I read this.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    heart warming and honest. I was blessed by her humor and storytelling.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    LOVED this book. Evans really examines what it means to be a Christian woman, and her findings line up with my own faith journey, so admittedly, I'm a bit biased. This is a book that I will revisit--most likely during church when I am listening to people say things that aren't really all that reflective of what I believe Christianity should be.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I laughed, cried, and felt many other emotions while reading this book. Rachel has a way of drawing you into the story so you feel like you’re right there with her. She is open, raw, and real. It felt like she was a close friend during the entire read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What an incredible young lady!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    What I like about RHE is her willingness to take on the status quo and this book does that, and more. She's done her research for this book,and through that research--i.e., why was this particular passage written for this particular time and in this particular place and how can those discoveries apply to today? What she discovers give a reader plenty to think about--how much of what passes for Christianity today may be far from what the original authors of the various books intended.

    She makes plenty of discoveries along the way, and she doesn't hesitate to share the good, bad, and the ugly about her year living according to "the rules."

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I started out not really liking this book. It wasn't quite what I had expected. Evans opens with a focus on getting her hair cut for the first time in *gasp* an entire year, complete with before-and-after photos that looked scarcely different, other than length, to me. Also, she organized her experiment month-by-month, with a different theme and different foci for each one, rather than going straight into all-out "biblical womanhood," which I had wrongly equated with the type of super-fundamentalist framework one finds in some of the most extremely conservative and separatist Christian sects. I started reading this based on the idea that it would be a look-at-this-weird-lifestyle type deal, which is not, after all, the intent of the book.But, the further I read, the more I started getting out of Evan's year-long project. The monthly organization made sense for what she was truly trying to do: examine aspects of scripture and practices from both various Christian denominations and Orthodox Judaism regarding womanhood, to sort through what provides meaningful examples for her to follow in her own faith versus what has been misinterpreted in the past, skipped over, or is simply no longer applicable in the circumstances of modern life. As someone who currently identifies as non-religious, what I found most interesting was the research that went into Evans' project. I came away having learned a good deal about biblical interpretations and their histories, Jewish practices, and New Testament books past the Gospels, not to mention the side of Christianity that advocates "biblical womanhood" to begin with. This proved an interesting read, if not what I had expected and my normal cup of tea.I also really appreciated the tone the author took with examining diverse viewpoints, including many with which she disagreed. I'm actually tempted now to pick up one of her other books to see what else she has written on faith and Christianity.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    As a longtime fan of Rachel Held Evans' blog, I really, really wanted to love this book. It was a pretty awesome read - as a religion nerd and someone who is fascinated by other people's journeys of faith, it is a book I'd recommend or borrow, but not something I'd necessarily buy again or reread, given the chance. Truly "an exercise in scriptural exploration and spiritual contemplation," its charm lies mainly in the humor Evans evokes from taking some things a little too literally and others not literally at all, and her own personal reflections on the various things she learns throughout the year and the conclusion she comes to that there is no one meaning of "biblical womanhood."There were a few things I had difficulty getting past. One big one that often comes up in Christian circles was her rejection and mocking of conservative evangelical Christian culture while valorizing Orthodox Jewish culture. I really enjoyed what she wrote about her friendship with Ahava, an Israeli Orthodox Jewish convert who helps her understand how some of the Old Testament laws applying to women are interpreted by Orthodox Jews in modern society. However, I (and my partner, who is Jewish) found it really problematic that she, like many other Christians, tends to take a "grass is greener" view of Orthodox Judaism and other religious sects such as the Amish and Old Order Mennonites without giving the same critical thought to those sects or the unique issues that women face there. There seems to be an implicit understanding that Orthodox Judaism is somehow "more grounded" or "more spiritual," at least based on the experiences she shares in the book. She reserves most of her criticism (and mockery) for evangelical Christianity - and while evangelical Christianity may deserve it, it is interesting that she doesn't give her own tradition the same room for error and the same regard that she gives traditions that are very unlike her own.Another thing that really bothered me was the section on justice, which mostly revolves around buying fair trade chocolate and coffee and a rather one-dimensional view of the ways in which "third world women" are oppressed, based on the book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Cheryl WuDunn. There is no mention of the complexities of women's experiences around the world (there is no mention of the complexities behind the book Half the Sky and Kristof's highly problematic white savior complex at all) or the fact that "fair trade" often does not really mean what people think it means - because there is no commonly accepted definition or guideline, the popularity of the fair trade movement has led to companies essentially charging more for so-called "fair trade" products that aren't really fair trade (meaning that farmers do not get paid more for them, which is the assumption that Evans makes about the products she's buying). It was extremely frustrating that such cursory attention was paid to such important issues - I found myself wishing she'd spent half the time she spent on the background of problematic Bible verses actually interrogating modern women's issues and ethical consumerism beyond the cursory narratives that are commonly accepted in mainstream media.There was a lot to love about this book, though. I really enjoyed the background on problematic texts - and on texts that could actually be empowering to women but have been interpreted by the biblical womanhood movement in ways that stratify hierarchical gender norms. I found myself alternately loving and hating the haphazard way in which she cobbles together her rules and experiments for the project - some of them (like deferring to her husband and not speaking up in church, commonly accepted tenets of the biblical womanhood movement) make a lot of sense while others (like sitting on the roof as penance for swearing) were more like humorous stunts and had almost no biblical basis at all.Perhaps the main draw of this book is the personal aspect of her story - her own inner thoughts and feelings as she goes through this process, the interaction between her and her husband, Dan, over the project (and Dan's journal entries through the course of the year), the way the project seems to pull her family and church community closer together, and the things she learns about herself.As a hijabi, I was mildly amused when she mentioned that she thought that women who followed strict modest dress codes were oppressed, but when she imposed her own "biblical" modest dress code on herself for a month (wearing long skirts, long sleeves, and a beret to cover her hair), she was amazed at how differently she was treated and the assumptions that people made about her. Dan's reflections on how people saw him (potentially as an abusive, controlling spouse) were also interesting.She gives a fair amount of background on the biblical womanhood movement and the ways in which they use scripture to prop up their arguments - another book that gives more background on the history of the movement and is definitely worth the read is Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement. She also looks at other ways in which the Bible has been used to impose a gendered hierarchy throughout history. Her reflections on the historical and situational context of Paul's epistles, for example, put some of the most controversial statements on gender and relationships in the Bible to the test, while not demonizing Paul as some feminist readings tend to do.Ultimately, in the end, it seems that she ends up back where she is at the beginning - with the belief that there is no one way of defining biblical womanhood and no one way of reading the Bible.(Also, I am eternally jealous that she cooks her way through a Martha Stewart book AND IS GOOD AT IT. One of the most heartwarming parts of the book are her adventures in cooking. Envy is a sin, A'ishah.)

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I found this to be an interesting exploration of the discrepancies in the bible, especially between the Jewish practices from the Old Testament and the pronouncements, especially by Paul, in the New Testament. For me, the bottom line is that everyone picks and chooses what to follow depending on education, training, experience and culture. Equal cases can be made for the subjugation of women and at the same time, the equality of women as demonstrated by Jesus in his teachings and actions and relationships.Admittedly, this is not my genre, but I give Evans high marks for an original idea and excellent implementation which was both flexible and respectful.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved this book. It was hilarious, honest, and heartbreaking in different stretches. I feel like Ms. Evans articulates some of my own struggles as a woman of faith and she does so in a manners that is both frank and respectful. Definitely a must-read!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I expected to like this book. I have loved Rachel Held Evans' blog for years. Her posts during her "Year of Biblical Womanhood" were entertaining as Rachel stumbled through learning to cook and sew. They were thought provoking as she struggled through difficult Bible passages. Her blog posts were inspiring as she campaigned for women of valor throughout the world.

    And the book was more than twice as good.

    There were several times when Rachel wrote something that echoed my thoughts so exactly it was almost uncanny. "Tearing a chicken into bite-size pieces requires that a girl get rather intimate with her meat, and I hate getting intimate with my meat" (pg 25).

    But it wasn't all amusing antics.

    In no way was A Year of Biblical Womanhood making fun of the Bible, or of those who practice Biblical womanhood differently (from Rachel or from cultural norms). She interviews a Quiverfull daughter as well as a female pastor with respect and grace. She visits a Catholic monastery and a Quaker service. Rachel, as strong as her opinions are, went into the project and each of the activities with an open mind.

    Of course, some of the projects were rather gimmicky, like sleeping out in a tent during her period, but they added comic relief so that we would not be weighed down by the more serious themes.

    This book was wonderful. Whether you think you'll agree or be offended, you should read it. Rachel does not try to be offensive. She treats the Bible and women with the utmost respect. She manages to tell an awesomely entertaining story as well as inspire me to strive to be a woman of valor.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I want to break bread with Rachel.

    I just finished, and I feel refreshed, as if I just had the most rejuvenating fellowship. Not with finger foods and gossip and complaints veiled as concerns, but early church gathering of The Way style. I wasn't even part of the book, yet I feel celebrated, as a woman daily fighting chronic illness, as a woman of valor.
    I felt especially drawn closer by the chapter of the veneration of motherhood as the goal and role of the Christian Proverbs 31 woman. My illnesses have taken that ability away from me--unable to conceive, too sick to adopt. Rachel's study, words, and bright, feisty spirit showed me that I am no less for that, but that childless women played pivotal roles in God's plan and Jesus' ministry!
    Should Team Dan and Rachel welcome a newcomer to break bread, I shall come bearing my own gifts: knitting needles and stories of growing up in a tiny Southern Episcopal church.

    This is how you should feel after reading a book, as if you are a better person for it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A Breath of Fresh Air - Entertaining and Thoughtful
    There has been a lot of controversy from the "conservative evangelicals" about this book, but I loved it! It made me laugh and it also made me think. In many ways it was like a breath of fresh air for me as she dives into so many of the same questions I've been asking.

    I love the conversational style of the book and the ways Evans is able to laugh at herself and tackle deep hermeneutical questions about how we interpret the Bible, specifically as it applies to women's roles in the church, in the home, and in life in general.

    As others have noted, there may not be new arguments here, but Rachel made the work of scholars much more accessible and personal. (And again, renewed my desire to dig deeper.)

    Reading this book reawakened my love of the Bible in ways I could not have anticipated.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I expected to like this book. I have loved Rachel Held Evans' blog for years. Her posts during her "Year of Biblical Womanhood" were entertaining as Rachel stumbled through learning to cook and sew. They were thought provoking as she struggled through difficult Bible passages. Her blog posts were inspiring as she campaigned for women of valor throughout the world.

    And the book was more than twice as good.

    There were several times when Rachel wrote something that echoed my thoughts so exactly it was almost uncanny. "Tearing a chicken into bite-size pieces requires that a girl get rather intimate with her meat, and I hate getting intimate with my meat" (pg 25).

    But it wasn't all amusing antics.

    In no way was A Year of Biblical Womanhood making fun of the Bible, or of those who practice Biblical womanhood differently (from Rachel or from cultural norms). She interviews a Quiverfull daughter as well as a female pastor with respect and grace. She visits a Catholic monastery and a Quaker service. Rachel, as strong as her opinions are, went into the project and each of the activities with an open mind.

    Of course, some of the projects were rather gimmicky, like sleeping out in a tent during her period, but they added comic relief so that we would not be weighed down by the more serious themes.

    This book was wonderful. Whether you think you'll agree or be offended, you should read it. Rachel does not try to be offensive. She treats the Bible and women with the utmost respect. She manages to tell an awesomely entertaining story as well as inspire me to strive to be a woman of valor.